Sunil Narine, the bowling all-rounder for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has proven to be one of the standout performers in the Indian Premier League. His shift to the opening position has resulted in him being among the leading run-scorers in the tournament, and his knack for taking wickets in the middle overs has kept rival teams on their toes. With his impressive all-round display, there have been increasing calls for his comeback to international cricket, particularly for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, the West Indian has firmly shut down any speculation, stating that he has no intention of returning to the international arena.
Narine made it clear on social media that he will not be returning to the West Indies team for the T20 World Cup. He expressed gratitude for the support and encouragement he received from fans, but emphasized that those who have been consistently representing the national team should be given priority over him. He stated that he has come to terms with his decision and will be backing the players who will be competing in the tournament. He wished the team the best of luck and acknowledged their hard work and dedication in preparing for the upcoming event.
In 169 matches in the IPL, Narine has claimed 172 wickets at an average of 25.59 and a strike rate of 22.75, with a best of 5/19. Surpassing Malinga, who has 170 wickets in 122 balls, Narine has now become the sixth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. He also holds the record for the most wickets taken by a single franchise in the IPL.
Jasprit Bumrah (158 wickets for Mumbai Indians), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (150 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Dwayne Bravo (140 wickets for Chennai Super Kings) are also part of this elite list.
Under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, the former skipper of the franchise who led them to victory in 2012 and 2014, Narine is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in the IPL this season. In seven matches, he has amassed 286 runs at an average of 40.85 and a strike rate exceeding 176, including a century and a fifty. He currently ranks as the fifth-highest run-scorer this season, having also taken nine wickets with a best of 2/30.